Significant increase in whooping cough cases in Quebec in recent weeks
More than 900 cases of whooping cough have been reported across Quebec since the start of 2024, including some 200 cases in recent weeks. The Eastern Townships and Chaudière-Appalaches regions are by far the most affected.
Also known as pertussis, whooping cough is a highly contagious disease whose main symptoms are coughing fits, low-grade fever, runny nose and red, watery eyes.
Ear infection and pneumonia are possible complications of whooping cough, and the risk is higher in babies under one year of age. As of April 30, a total of 19 confirmed cases and three probable cases have occurred in children under one year of age in Quebec.
The Quebec government website noted that children under three months of age suffer the most serious complications. They account for nearly half of all hospitalizations, the majority of intensive care admissions and almost all deaths due to pertussis (although deaths remain rare).
In an e-mail to The Canadian Press, the province's health ministry noted that pertussis is a cyclical endemic disease, with peaks of activity every two to five years. The last peak in Quebec was in 2019, when 1,269 cases were reported.
Health measures linked to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced whooping cough cases between 2020 and 2021. But with more social contact since 2022, the ministry anticipates a resurgence of the disease.
In the Chaudière-Appalaches and Eastern townships regions, incidence rates are up compared with the same period in 2023 and for pre-pandemic years.
- Listen on CJAD 800 Radio: Dr. Mitch: why are whooping cough cases way up in Quebec?
Since the start of this year, 469 cases have been reported in the Eastern Townships, including 53 cases in the first two weeks of May. In the Chaudière-Appalaches region, 182 cases have been reported since the start of the year, including 84 cases from April 28 to May 11.
Montérégie has recorded 50 cases since the start of the year; Laurentians 41 cases; Bas-Saint-Laurent 42 cases; Quebec City region 43 cases and Lanaudière 20 cases. These regions all saw around ten new cases in 14 days at the beginning of May.
Vaccination is the best way to protect against pertussis, said the provincial government. The pertussis vaccine can be administered as early as two months of age, and is a combination vaccine.
Pregnant women can also receive the vaccine. Babies under three months of age are the most vulnerable to severe pertussis infections, and much less so if the mother was vaccinated during pregnancy.
According to the Government of Canada, pertussis vaccination coverage should reach 95 per cent to establish herd immunity. In 2021, in Quebec, vaccination coverage among the population aged two and under was 89 per cent, according to the most recent data from the Quebec public health institute (INSPQ).
For the time being, the health ministry has no plans for a large-scale pertussis vaccination campaign in schools.
--
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 21, 2024. The Canadian Press health content receives funding through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for editorial choices.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.